Te Anau Ukulele Festival

It’s true; music is magic. And in this case, the magic comes with four strings attached.

The Te Anau Ukulele Festival is an amazing three-day celebration where you can soak up mellow vibes beneath majestic mountain ranges next to the stunning Lake Te Anau.

The ukulele is an instrument that’s small in size but big in personality, as converts worldwide attest.

Players are drawn from all around New Zealand — and across the ditch — and everyone from amateurs to experts is welcomed with open arms. It’s a great destination for a school holiday family getaway, too.

Next event date: 10-13 October 2024
Location: Te Anau
Keen to learn more: https://www.teanauukulelefestival.co.nz/

Anyone can give it a crack. If you’ve never picked up an instrument before, the ukulele could be for you. People who never in a million years thought they’d pick up an instrument strum away merrily, having the time of their lives.

There’s everything from LAB to Johnny Cash on the songsheets and loads of original music, too.

Everything about the ukulele is loud, proud and colourful. It makes you feel alive. There’s warm fuzzies everywhere as the endorphins flow. You could even call it therapy.

Reunite with old friends, and maybe make some new ones. Everyone’s here for the music.

There’s café strums for everyone - and ukuleles to be won. You can relax all day at one café or check out all of Te Anau’s legendary hospitality while entertained by top talent.

If you’re a budding spoon player, there might be a workshop for you, or maybe a stage appearance, waiata, writing, or a harmonica workshop sounds more like you.

Each evening, you’ll be spellbound at concerts featuring some amazing acts from New Zealand and Australia at the town’s premier venues, with outstanding sound and production sure to impress.

Depending on what day or time you attend, there might be a chance to jump aboard for a heli-mountain strum or delight in a high tea and a big strum.

On Sunday, kick things off with a buffet breakfast, topped off with some fantastic ukulele bands to get you back in the swing of things. At night, it could be your time to shine at the Open Mic and Grand Finale Jam Concert if the mood takes you. There’s no pressure, no judgment here, just a massive amount of love for anyone keen to give it a crack. If you want to chill and watch, that’s cool, have a couple of drinks, some outstanding food, and finish the festival with a bang.

You don’t need to be a ukulele player to have a great time; there’s so much fantastic music to listen to, not to mention all the other amazing experiences Fiordland offers.

Piopiotahi Milford Sound is the jewel in Fiordland’s crown, while the peaceful township of Manapōuri is your departure point to discover the brooding and beautiful Pātea Doubtful Sound. Take a cruise and discover a fiord, or throw on the boots and wander the many short walks and multi-day hiking trails, including three New Zealand Great Walks (the Milford, Routeburn, and Kepler Tracks).

You might also like...